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tv tuner posts

picoStick USB Digital TV tuner is insanely small, but only in Europe

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 16th 2009 at 10:01PM

It's not like we've ever felt particularly overwhelmed by the size or heft of the USB digital TV tuners already on the market, but Hauppauge's latest has us feeling positively overwhelmed at the thought of lugging one of those other, nearly credit card-sized behemoths ever again. The PCTV Systems picoStick, launched at PlayBite 2009 in London today, is being billed as the world's smallest DVB-T (Western Europe) tuner, requires no antenna, costs £50 (about $83) and should be available from Amazon.co.uk and Play.com next week. One more pic after the break.

[Via Richard Lai]

Continue reading picoStick USB Digital TV tuner is insanely small, but only in Europe

ASUS stuffs TV tuner into new T1 series of Full HD monitors

by Darren Murph posted Sep 10th 2009 at 3:54AM

We aren't trying to get all up in your business or anything, but if you've found yourself in the market for a TV tuning LCD of late, ASUS has a trio that just might serve your needs. The T1 is comprised of 22-, 24- and 27-inch displays, all of which boast 1080p panels, a pair of HDMI sockets, a hybrid TV tuner, twin seven watt speakers, a fairly unexciting black chassis and a 3-year warranty. We're told that these are available now across the pond starting at £279 ($461), though there's no indication that these will ever ship stateside (nor if they'll ever see a Designo makeover).

[Via Pocket-lint]

I-O Data's SEG Clip brings 1seg mobile TV to iPhone and PC

by Darren Murph posted Aug 10th 2009 at 4:18AM

Softbank's own 1seg tuner / battery charger was a novel idea, but leave it to trained assassins at I-O Data to really expound upon the concept and concoct something nearly worthy of relocating to Tokyo for. The new GV-SC310 SEG Clip is a relatively vanilla USB 1seg TV tuner that plugs into one's PC in order to pull down some of Japan's finest OTA programming. Once captured, users with an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS or iPod touch can download a TVPlayer app (shown after the break) that enables them to wirelessly watch whatever content they've stored. Think of it as TiVo for your iPhone, but only for those lucky enough to live in the Land of the Rising Sun. Not too shabby for ¥6,615 ($68), huh?

[Via Akihabara News]

Read - I-O Data press release
Read - Hands-on

Continue reading I-O Data's SEG Clip brings 1seg mobile TV to iPhone and PC

BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 29th 2009 at 10:27AM

Looks like viewers in the Benelux countries have one more option for their Eurovision parties this year. BenQ has just announced the MK2442, a 23.6-inch LCD TV / computer monitor that sports a 5ms response time, full HD at 1920x1080 / 1080p / 24Hz, an HDMI 1.3 interface, and something called Senseye Human Vision Technology (a proprietary image enhancement engine that, you know, "mimics the human eye" for "deeper, richer and more detailed images"). Available from August 20 all over Europe -- and just the thing for all your Russian techno-pop viewing needs.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

Continue reading BenQ's new 1080p LCD TV monitor makes someone in Europe very happy

ASUS dabbles in HDTV arena with 1080p TV Monitor T1 series

by Darren Murph posted Jul 14th 2009 at 3:29PM

It's not that ASUS hasn't dipped its toes in HDTV waters before (by the way, whatever happened to that altogether enticing Eee TV?), but we dare say that the TV Monitor T1 is a fresh, if not unsurprising new direction for the company. Arriving in 22- (22T1E), 24- (24T1E) and 27-inch (27T1E) sizes, this trio of sets features a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) panel, a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, 300 nits of brightness, five millisecond response time, built-in TV tuners (for the UK market) and a pair of seven-watt speakers. As for sockets, you'll find VGA, HDMI (x2), component, composite, S-Video and even a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack. Per usual, ASUS is refusing to dole out pricing and release date information, but hopefully it won't be long before Britons can indulge (and North Americans are notified of an NTSC-capable version).

Hyundai Provia A7+ GPS unit adds multimedia playback, looks irresistible

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 7th 2009 at 8:34AM

It's no secret that some of our US editors have been feeling a bit of tech-envy toward our cousins from the far East, who consider 7-inch PNDs commonplace. Doing nothing to allay those emotions, Hyundai has announced the Provia A7+, which is -- you guessed it -- a 7-inch GPS-slash-PMP soon to be available in South Korea. The device comes with an integrated TV tuner (DMB), 800 x 480 resolution, video and audio playback, Navi-in-Picture functionality, and USB and SD connectivity to expand its abilities to match your imagination. If this thing's routing abilities are even half decent, it should sell like hot cakes in the middle of a particularly cold winter.

[Via Navigadget]

Mio debuts Freeview-tuning Navman Spirit TV V505 and V735 PNDs

by Darren Murph posted Jun 23rd 2009 at 8:21AM

We already knew that Mio was planning a few PNDs for the European market with integrated Freeview tuners, and now the outfit has come clean with the official launch of the Navman Spirit TV V505 and V735. Just as expected, the TV tuning satnav units boast 4.7- and 7-inch displays (respectively), with each also packing an EPG, two available antennas and support for video, photo and music playback. There's also a new slidetouch UI, 3D maps, built-in traffic support (with a lifetime subscription), an FM transmitter and a selection of Travel Books that provide in-depth listings of the best local stops. The new devices should hit UK shelves next month for £229 ($372) and £299 ($487) in order of mention, though we get the feeling a US version may not be in the cards.

Dell adding Mini 10 TV tuner, passion purple color options today

by Ross Miller posted May 21st 2009 at 12:02AM

When Dell said its Mini 10 TV tuner was coming this summer, well, we didn't expect it to be so soon. The company's dropped us a line to say we should expect to see it as a customization option starting sometime today, presumably along with the external antenna that's needed when the signal's low. The cost is an extra $50 and it'll net you over-the-air ATSC -- that's the new HD format, for those who haven't been keeping track. Additionally, a seventh color, passion purple, is being added to the library, and if your heart's set on cherry red, you'll be happy to know they're now a part of the (PRODUCT) RED portfolio, meaning Dell will donate $5 to the Global Fund with each purchase. No pics of the new hue just yet, but if any of these new additions sound enticing, you might wanna hit cancel on that late-night order we caught you placing.

Mio Spirit TV spotted in the wild doling out routes, serving soap operas

by Darren Murph posted May 13th 2009 at 10:33AM

While we Yanks are stuck with overpriced PNDs that suck down weather forecasts and pretend to alert us of upcoming traffic problems, folks overseas are using their navigators to watch fresh episodes of Top Gear. Navman, better known these days as Mio, has just outed two new satnav devices across the pond, both of which sport a built-in Freeview TV tuner, Bluetooth, Google search, walking mode and loads of POIs. The Spirit TV will arrive in both 4.7- and 7-inch flavors, with expected pricing hovering in the £200 ($306) to £300 ($459) range. For obvious reasons, we aren't expecting this one to head Stateside anytime soon, but those camping out in a Freeview territory should feel free to hit the read link for more hands-on shots.

Update: Slashgear got some hands-on video with the device, and considering that the TV tuner is modular, we could feasibly see a US-friendly one installed and shipped here. Yes, please. Thanks, Chris!

Dell Mini 10 TV tuner option coming this summer, Mini 10v goes hands-on

by Paul Miller posted May 12th 2009 at 5:37PM

While Dell originally mentioned a TV tuner option back when it launched the Mini 10 in January, it's still working on bringing the feature to market. The latest news is that the configuration will tack roughly $50 onto the price, includes an external antenna (which is only required in low-signal situations), and should be available "this summer." The couple of channels we saw in action seemed plenty good on the quality front, but nothing groundbreaking. Meanwhile, we also got a look at the new Mini 10v, which swaps HDMI for VGA, lacks the flush "glass" styling of the Mini 10 display, and bounces over to the Atom N270 processor. The version we were looking at included a 6-cell battery (a $30 add-on), which added a considerable amount of lift at the back -- it might be ergonomic, but it sure isn't pretty. Unfortunately the TV option won't be available for the 10v, so if you were holding out... maybe you should be spending more time with your family.

Gallery: Mini 10v goes hands-on

Get a CableCARD into your DIY HTPC

by Darren Murph posted May 12th 2009 at 1:06PM

For years now, those in power at the top of the CableCARD chain have told you that installing your own CableCARD within your own HTPC was simply impossible. "OEM or bust," they said. It's a good thing they're wrong, isn't it? Over at Engadget HD, we've assembled a guide that explains how to get your existing media center PC to play nice with a dedicated internal CableCARD tuner, and the whole process just might be easier than you've ever imagined. Give it a look right here.

MSI details Wind U123 variants, introduces GX403 gaming laptop

by Darren Murph posted Apr 13th 2009 at 9:59AM

Earlier this month, MSI let loose details on its slimmest ultraportable yet and its oh-so-promising Wind U123 netbook. Today, it's fully detailing the U123 lineup and formally introducing its newest gaming / multimedia laptop. As for the former, users can soon expect to see a U123, U123H and U123T; the first is the standard fare model, while the second gets equipped with a 3.5G (HSDPA) WWAN module. The U123T gets gifted with an integrated TV tuner, but sadly, there doesn't seem to be a way to get both extras bundled into one mega-U123. Moving on, there's the 14.1-inch (1,280 x 800) GX403, which sports a Core 2 Duo CPU, NVIDIA's GeForce GT 130M (512MB) graphics card, Turbo Drive overclocking, 4GB of system RAM, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, HDMI output, 4-in-1 card reader, USB / eSATA sockets and an optional Blu-ray drive to boot. Mum's the word on pricing or availability, but you can catch a glimpse of it just beyond the break.

Read - Wind U123 versions
Read - MSI GX403

Continue reading MSI details Wind U123 variants, introduces GX403 gaming laptop

MSI outs full specs of X-Slim X320 / X340 and Wind U123

by Darren Murph posted Apr 1st 2009 at 9:00AM

While MSI has been teasing its Wind U123 and X-Slim X320 / X340 laptops for a little while now, we've yet to see the full specifications for each rig laid out. Until now, of course. Over at CTIA in Vegas, the company is revealing all the dirty details about what makes these May-bound rigs tick, and we're pleased as punch to see a few unexpected inclusions. As for the 10.2-inch U123, you'll find a 1.66GHz Atom N280 CPU, integrated WWAN and even a built-in TV tuner. As for the X-Slim X340 (starting around $1,000), it's amongst the first to feature Intel's newfangled CULV platform, which sucks down one-sixth the power of a regular mobile CPU. The X320 (starting at $700) gets gifted with a less exciting 1.6GHz Atom Z530, but the optional 3G / WiMAX module definitely makes it altogether enticing for those scouting a continually connected ultraportable. Head on past the break for the full hardware breakdown.

Gallery: MSI outs full specs of X-Slim X320 / X340 and Wind U123

Continue reading MSI outs full specs of X-Slim X320 / X340 and Wind U123

Archos 5 Snap-on TV DVB-T tuner reviewed on video with disarmingly alluring soundtrack

by Ross Miller posted Mar 24th 2009 at 4:19AM

If you're still on the fence about picking up the Snap-on TV DVB-T tuner for your Archos 5, the crew at the French-language site Archos Lounge have snagged a copy and run it through the ringer. Turns out that even with that extra antenna, you'll still need to be reasonably close to the signal source and preferably not blocked by too many walls if you plan on enjoying a broadcast. If all the conditions are optimal, they say it's a pretty decent attachment. If that's not enough, they also produced a "moving pictures" version of their review, completely with a rather kicking soundtrack. Dim the lights, grab some popcorn, and check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Archos 5 Snap-on TV DVB-T tuner reviewed on video with disarmingly alluring soundtrack

Elgato ships 1080p-friendly Turbo.264 HD video conversion dongle

by Darren Murph posted Mar 19th 2009 at 6:11PM

Remember that brilliant Turbo.264 video conversion dongle that shipped like, two whole years ago? Yeah, it's successor has just hit the streets, and it's as ready as ever for 1080p content. The predictably titled Elgato Turbo.264 HD plugs directly into one's Mac and converts files up to 1080p (from camcorders, digital cameras, etc.) into files that are perfectly formatted for iPods, PSPs or other media players. The bundled software also lets users preview and trim video clips before converting, and it saves folks the time and hassle of importing into iMovie, learning commands, rendering and exporting. Reportedly, a video that would take an hour to convert to an iPod-friendly file takes just 15 minutes with this here dongle, and if that's worth $149.95 to you, you're one click away from brightening your own day.

[Via Electricpig]